Coffee Makers

[Fuzz]

I despise cleaning those things, and I need coffee ready when I wake up, so a timer is essential.


I have my espresso machine to use once I have enough caffeine in me to operate it. It's a chicken and egg thing. Can't operate machine without caffeine, can't get caffeine without machine. Hence the drip on a timer.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I despise cleaning those things, and I need coffee ready when I wake up, so a timer is essential.


I have my espresso machine to use once I have enough caffeine in me to operate it. It's a chicken and egg thing. Can't operate machine without caffeine, can't get caffeine without machine. Hence the drip on a timer.

Same here, I’d love to have freshly roasted, ground and brewed espresso first thing in the morning but I can barely get the pod in the Keurig for the single cup of McDonald’s ground. Maybe by mid day I can pull off a Spanish Bon Bon.

[Wormius]

I get weak occasionally and try the Keurig at the office, but it tastes so bad that I never finish it. I might just use my old hand grinder and get a pour over. Another regret is not getting a nice Hario pour over as a souvenir from Japan.

[Firebot]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I had the Cuisinart, was never a fan of it, didn't get hot enough. I've got this now:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01EA5ZHIA/

It's great, other than the lid drips if you pour to fast when full. Piping hot though.

I don't know what a Sboly grinder is, but I highly recommend a Baratza Encore for an entry burr grinder that is upgradable, has parts available, and works really well.

I ended up going all out on the Mochamaster today after doing more research, very glad I did. Also measured the coffee grounds according to the SCA standard as directed. Quick to make a pot, 7 minutes for 10 cups. The Cuisinart easily took over twice as long.

No bells and whistles, just pure, awesome, proper temperature extracted coffee. I am like this because I had 5 coffees this afternoon.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I get weak occasionally and try the Keurig at the office, but it tastes so bad that I never finish it. I might just use my old hand grinder and get a pour over. Another regret is not getting a nice Hario pour over as a souvenir from Japan.

For office purposes, why not consider an Espro? All you need is access to hot water and you can elect whether or not to clean the grinds at the office. (ie: In comparison to a pour over or aeropress).

It's basically a french press inside a thermal container.

https://www.amazon.ca/5116C-18BK-Ult...5906964&sr=8-3

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

For office purposes, why not consider an Espro? All you need is access to hot water and you can elect whether or not to clean the grinds at the office. (ie: In comparison to a pour over or aeropress).

It's basically a french press inside a thermal container.

https://www.amazon.ca/5116C-18BK-Ult...5906964&sr=8-3

I had taken a look at a few, and ended up ordering the Hario V60 Switch. This is going to be more for home use to try different coffees that aren't espressos.

On another note, I think Calgary is probably the Seattle of coffee. I was ordering some stuff, and most of these places are based in Calgary - some Gaggia replacement parts, and the V60 were available from different shops here. Coffee Addicts and Eight Ounce Coffee have been pretty good to deal with.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I had taken a look at a few, and ended up ordering the Hario V60 Switch. This is going to be more for home use to try different coffees that aren't espressos.

On another note, I think Calgary is probably the Seattle of coffee. I was ordering some stuff, and most of these places are based in Calgary - some Gaggia replacement parts, and the V60 were available from different shops here. Coffee Addicts and Eight Ounce Coffee have been pretty good to deal with.

Where did you get Gaggia parts locally? I tried that guy on 14th NW, and he was totally unhelpful. I don't know how you say you service Gaggia, yet don't have a grouphead gasket.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Where did you get Gaggia parts locally? I tried that guy on 14th NW, and he was totally unhelpful. I don't know how you say you service Gaggia, yet don't have a grouphead gasket.

Coffee Addicts. They’re co-located with a Good Earth Coffee at 1502 11th St SW. I ordered online and then picked it up the next day.

Yeah, the 14th St guy wasn’t helpful either. I had to order a new boiler thermostat from the UK a couple of years back, which you think would be a common part.

Also, I ordered a new grouphead gasket from them too, the silicone one. It’s a really tight fit with the portafilter initially, but it gets better eventually.

[Fuzz]

Nice, thanks, I'll have to grab one of those silicone ones. It wasn't in stock at Espressotec when I really needed one. Good to know there is a local supplier.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Nice, thanks, I'll have to grab one of those silicone ones. It wasn't in stock at Espressotec when I really needed one. Good to know there is a local supplier.

The weird thing about Espressotec is their website said the steam valve wasn’t available, so I requested an alert when it came in, and then a couple of hours later I got an email saying it was now in stock, but I had already found this place in Calgary by then.

I also saw some group head gaskets at the Italian Store sitting out. I am not sure what machine they would be for. They only sell mokka pots, and I don’t think they use that gasket, do they?

[Fuzz]

Mokka pots do have a gasket but I'd be surprised if it was the same, the ones I have seen are thinner.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Mokka pots do have a gasket but I'd be surprised if it was the same, the ones I have seen are thinner.

It was probably this. Being a 3-pack made it look like an espresso machine gasket.

[Slava]

Is there somewhere in the city I can have my machine serviced? I just want a “tune-up” kind of thing, make sure it’s running well and a quick once over. I emailed a guy months ago who has a site and Calgary address, but never had a reply.

[woob]

Anyone have a recommendation for an economical bag of beans that is not super oily? We’ve been buying the Level Ground Africa beans from Costco, but our Saeco Talea Giro really doesn’t like them and results in extra cleaning etc.

Every now and then you can find the big bag of Analog beans on sale, but hoping to find a new “regular” option that’s a drier bean.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by marsplasticeraser

Bows and arrows in Victoria has great beans, like people go “wow, this is incredible”. Monogram and Rosso in Calgary also pretty good. Set up a monthly subscription and life is good.

Can confirm. I have a recurring subscription with Bows and Arrows. You can buy it at Lukes drug mart from time to time.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by woob

Anyone have a recommendation for an economical bag of beans that is not super oily? We’ve been buying the Level Ground Africa beans from Costco, but our Saeco Talea Giro really doesn’t like them and results in extra cleaning etc.

Every now and then you can find the big bag of Analog beans on sale, but hoping to find a new “regular” option that’s a drier bean.

I've actually been using Italian Espresso from The Roastarie for years. I really like it, it makes great crema, has never clogged my grinder, and is just a nice classic flavour. It's not the cheapest, but with a CJSW Friends card(-15%) I think it's ~$14 a pound.

[The Familia]

We have a Nespresso machine and absolutely love it. Quick, easy, and we find the coffee itself too notch. A bit pricey, but cheaper than buying a Starbucks or Tim’s everyday.
We also use a Bioletti Moka for espresso. Classic Italian...nothing better than waking up as a kid and smelling a freshly brewed pot or ending the night at a relatives house with espresso and fruit.

[InglewoodFan]

Originally Posted by Slava

Is there somewhere in the city I can have my machine serviced? I just want a “tune-up” kind of thing, make sure it’s running well and a quick once over. I emailed a guy months ago who has a site and Calgary address, but never had a reply.

What kind of machine? If espresso, I have had good luck with https://espressoworks.ca/ They are not far from Chinook, in the hot tub district. At the start of pandemic he sold me the parts for rebuilding my three-way valve on my grouphead and talked me out of having him install them since it's pretty easy. He's since replaced a pump for me and gave the machine a general once over and let me know areas that might need attention down the road.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Slava

Is there somewhere in the city I can have my machine serviced? I just want a “tune-up” kind of thing, make sure it’s running well and a quick once over. I emailed a guy months ago who has a site and Calgary address, but never had a reply.

This guy runs a repair shop out of his house and I was happy with a major repair job he did on my old Saeco Odea Giro.

https://coffeemachinerepair.ca/

[Slava]

Originally Posted by D as in David

This guy runs a repair shop out of his house and I was happy with a major repair job he did on my old Saeco Odea Giro.

https://coffeemachinerepair.ca/

Well that's the guy I messaged and never heard from...turns out that was in early September (my sense of time during this pandemic is more than a little questionable!)